It’s officially Day 1 of move-in and we at Housing are PUMPED for the new opening of Olde Campus Lower Quad, renovated for the in-coming first-years. Today we’re sneaking a peek at AYCOCK, which shares a common area bridge with Graham, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

So you’ve decided to leave your home state and become a Tar Heel, huh? Whether you’ve crossed an ocean, the whole country, or simply a state border, congratulations! You’ve made it here now, and you’re part of the 18% that aren’t North Carolinian!

While that number may seem smaller than a dook heart (we’re talkin’ very small), it’s more than it seems and more than enough to make you feel at home. If you’re not from the South, one thing you’ll quickly learn about it is its spirit of welcome, manners, and warmth. As you grow a new sense of home here, those features of the South are definitely your friends.

Before the fall, I hadn’t given going out of state any thought, hadn’t even considered the change of Southern culture. After all, I was coming from only two states away! No big deal, right? Well, gonna be honest here, not expecting things to be different resulted in culture shock hitting me like a biology textbook in the face.

It’s now only one month till move-in (!!!!), which means the thought of dorm shopping has probably crossed your mind two or three times. Or fifty, if you’re as nervous and clueless as I was last year.

While superstores are jumping to protest how you needneed need the million decor options they offer, let’s set the record straight. The secret to packing for college is actually to avoid overpacking, which will leave your room cramped and your wallet cranky.

Here are 10 things I promise you’re better off leaving at home or on the shelf:

The back of the store is basically an all-you-can-take, $0.99 buffet of everything from supplies to random knick-knacks. Being a wonderful combination of “Broke College Kid” and “Carolina Housing Intern”, I scoped out the sale for 5 things you NEED to up your dorm game:

While we love being here for y’all by making goofs of ourselves, chatting it up when you stop at our table in during orientation, and organizing giveaways to stuff your cribs, we’re also well aware that things aren’t always sunshine and unicorn farts.

Life happens, and sometimes it can get a little tough. So as true family, just know that we are always ready and prepared to get you through whatever it is that you’re going through. Here are five (of the many, many, many) ways we’ve always got your back:

Sup. If you’re looking for Clara Wong, you found me! If you’re not, well, you found me anyway.

Tell us about yourself!

I hail from Clarksburg, MD (reppin’ the DMV!) (that is not the Department of Motor Vehicles, thank you for asking) and am a rising Sophomore double-majoring in Journalism (Advertising) and Pre-Business.

Where did you live your first year? What did you like about it?

As a first-year, I made my humble abode in Craige Residence Hall. The perks were definitely not having to clean the bathroom and the proximity to the business school (great for first-years with classes or clubs there!). Having the social adeptness of a wild mushroom, I was initially hesitant about living suite-style in one of the most populated first-year dorms, but the social atmosphere turned out to be perfect for nudging me towards meeting other Tar Heels.

What have you been up to on campus and what else do you wish you had done?

I’m a part of Summit College, Chinese Language Community, and Build the Hill. Whatever you’re passionate or just curious about, there’s going to be a club for it at Carolina. For me, these activities reflect my enthusiasm for East Asian culture, my faith, and economic empowerment for the disadvantaged. While I’m a strong believer in a life philosophy of #noragrets, I wish I had spent more time participating in rallies or marches, attempting to be artsy, or just sleeping on the quad.